Eligibility
To get a Marine cook certificate of proficiency you must meet medical, sea service and course requirements. The requirements depend on whether you are getting a certificate for the first time or revalidating an existing certificate. Each requirement and how to prove that you meet them is explained in these instructions.
This certificate is issued under Marine Order 70 (Seafarer certification) 2014 and Marine Order 71 (Masters and deck officers) 2023, made under the Navigation Act 2012.
Important disclaimer
These instructions are summary information only. We make decisions about seafarer certificates under Marine Order 70 (Seafarer certification) 2014, Marine Order 71 (Master and deck officers) 2023, Marine Order 72 (Engineer officers) 2014, Marine Order 73 (Ratings) 2014 and Marine Order 74 (Master and deck officers – yachts) 2015. Please refer to these marine orders for full details of eligibility and other requirements for certificate applications.
What type of qualification do you need?
New certificate
What do I need to do?
To get this certificate, you need to:
- Provide proof of medical fitness
Before you apply, you must hold a valid AMSA Certificate of Medical Fitness (303).
You must complete your medical examination in Australia with an AMSA-approved medical practitioner.
We do not accept overseas or flag State medicals (such as ENG1 or OEUK/OGUK) or AMSA near coastal medical fitness certificates (1850).
- Complete training courses
You will need to complete these courses:
- Training course in cooking
- Basic safety training which includes security awareness training.
All applications for a Marine cook certificate of proficiency as must include a course completion certificate plus a Statement of attainment.
These courses must be completed with an approved training organisation.
All the certificates and training you complete and provide evidence of must comply with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).
- Provide proof of qualifications
You will need to hold one of the following approved courses in cooking:
- MAR30320 Certificate III in Maritime operations (Marine cookery)
- SIT30821 Certificate III in Commercial cookery
- Training considered equivalent by us upon application.
- Additional requirements
You will need to hold a valid Certificate of safety training.
- How to apply
You will need to lodge a formal application using Seafarer form 419 to be assessed towards the requirements for a Marine cook certificate of proficiency.
Lodge from within Australia
You will need to fill out Seafarer form 419, attach all required supporting documents and lodge it at a participating Australia Post retail outlet.
You will need to pay the fees for your application at the post office at the time of lodgement.
Lodge from overseas
You will need to fill out Seafarer form 419, attach all required supporting documents including a colour passport-style photograph and send the paperwork to us by email to STCW.applications@amsa.gov.au. When we receive your email, we will let you know how to pay the fee for your application via AMSA online portal.
Revalidate certificate
What do I need to do?
To revalidate your certificate, you need to:
- Provide proof of medical fitness
You must hold a valid AMSA Certificate of Medical Fitness (303) to revalidate.
If your medical has expired, you must complete a new medical assessment before you apply to revalidate.
If you are:
- in Australia, find an approved medical inspector
- overseas, find out how to renew your medical while overseas.
- Provide evidence of sea service
You will need to provide evidence that you have completed sea service performing functions for your current certificate for either:
- at least three months sea service performing cooking duties in the last five years
or
- performed cooking duties or functions at least equivalent to the sea service for at least three months in the previous five years.
All submitted sea service must be documented qualifying sea service. Read more about sea service.
- Hold valid certification
You will need to hold the following valid certificates:
Certificate of Safety Training endorsed with Security Awareness Training
Please note that Security Awareness Training only needs to be completed once in a seafarer’s career and does not need to be repeated.
- How do I apply?
You will need to lodge a formal application using Seafarer form 419 to be assessed towards the requirements for a Marine cook certificate of proficiency.
Lodge from within Australia
You will need to fill out Seafarer form 419, attach all required supporting documents and lodge it at a participating Australia Post retail outlet.
You will need to pay the fees for your application at the post office at the time of lodgement.
Lodge from overseas
You will need to fill out Seafarer form 419, attach all required supporting documents including a colour passport-style photograph and send the paperwork to us by email to STCW.applications@amsa.gov.au. When we receive your email, we will let you know how to pay the fee for your application via AMSA online portal.